Indigenous Youth Voice on Biodiversity: TONKLA Indigenous Children and Youth Network, Thailand

We’re proud to kick off this year’s #BiodiversityDay by spotlighting Indigenous Youth and Children from across Asia, starting with a powerful video from TONKLA Indigenous Children and Youth Network (Thailand).

For over 12 years, TONKLA has helped children and youth reconnect with their roots through reforestation, sacred rituals, and the transmission of Indigenous Knowledge.

“We cannot separate ourselves from nature. Our cultures, communities, and futures depend on it. We are the hope—for our communities and for nature.”— Ms. Supansa Janthai, TONKLA Coordinator

In Thailand, Indigenous Children and Youth continue to face limited access to education that respects their cultural identity, and they are excluded from decision-making about natural resource management. Without urgent action, their knowledge systems risk being lost.

“We call on the government to recognize our rights to manage our traditional lands and community forests, and to develop educational curricula that reflect our identity and support sustainable resource use.”— Ms. Pinsuda Namkaew, TONKLA Coordinator

Learn more about TONKLA: https://tknnetwork.org/